Dare to Desire (Dare to Love #2)(16)
Author: Carly Phillips

His gaze darkened, his sexy jaw set in frustration. “Baby, this is something.”

“Baby, this is sex,” she said, amazed she could speak, let alone maintain the train of thought that demanded she hold on to her heart.

His shocked expression was priceless. If only she could snap a picture and remind herself that, finally, she held the upper hand.

“So that’s how you want to play it?” he asked, his fingers tightening incrementally.

She wondered if she’d see his indentations on her skin later, knowing there had been nights when she’d gone home and examined the reddened prints and remembered the desire that had fueled each one. He wasn’t into kinky sex, but he did like her to feel him the next day.

“You wrote the rules,” she reminded him. She was just the one who’d forgotten to believe them. “Sex not romance,” she said, echoing words he’d used the first time they were together.

He shook his head, amazement in his handsome face. “Be careful what you wish for.” With a low growl, he pulled at her bikini bottoms until he’d slid them down and off her legs, dangling each over the edges of the chair. Open wide to him, her pu**y throbbed with need.

On a mission now, he slid his hands over her stomach, down to her damp outer lips. “You’re so damn wet for me.” Gruff pleasure sounded in his voice.

He lowered his head, and she braced for his mouth on her there. Instead, he pressed his lips to her stomach, nuzzling her with his mouth, licking her skin. Her belly rippled, even more moisture seeping from her core. Soft kisses, so at odds with the harder side of him she knew existed, told her he had an agenda. One that would frustrate the hell out of her while letting him enjoy every minute.

His tongue swiped from belly button to the top of her sex, and she gripped the arms of the chair in both hands.

“Need something, Angel?” He raised his head, his gaze meeting hers. A sexy grin edged the corners of his mouth.

She stared back defiantly.

“No? Okay then, slow and steady works for me. Seduction works better for me.”

Gaze never leaving hers, he slid his thumbs back over her outer folds, and her breath caught in her throat. Then he lowered his head and licked her thoroughly, his tongue laving her inner and outer lips, tasting and teasing along either side of her clit, never quite touching her where it would do the most good.

She rolled her hips beneath him, and he slapped her thigh lightly. “Hold still.”

“Can’t.” His talented tongue felt so amazing, and everything inside of her was coiled tight, waiting to explode. But instead of sucking on her clit like she needed him to do, he continued to lap at her everywhere else. Licking, tasting, teasing even more until Madison threw her head back and moaned, the sound echoing in the dark, enclosed space that smelled of musky coconut and, yes, sex. Even the air vibrated with desire.

He slid one finger inside her, still not touching her throbbing center that begged for attention.

“Oh God.” He thrust one long digit in and out, filling her and yet creating an even bigger ache than before.

He added a second finger, drove in and out of her pu**y with relentless strokes.

“Please, Alex.” Now she wasn’t above begging.

“Please what, Angel?”

“More, harder, faster.” Her legs shook, thighs trembled. She thrashed beneath him, and still he took his time, thoroughly making a meal out of her with his mouth and tongue, f**king her with his fingers.

“Oh my God! Do something, Alex. Make me come.”

He finally listened. He clamped his lips over her clit and nipped her hard. Stars flashed in front of her eyes, and she came so fast fireworks exploded inside her head. Waves of pleasure crested, peaked, and washed over her in never-ending swells. She arched her back and gyrated her hips against his mouth until she collapsed against the chair, lost to everything around her.

She came back to herself, expecting to see him naked above her. At the thought, her pu**y contracted once more. Instead, she found him watching her, his eyes glazed with desire, lips damp with her juices, a satisfied expression on his face.

“That was f**king hot.”

She crinkled her eyes. “Aren’t you … I mean, aren’t we going to—”

“I said this was about you.” He shifted beside her, the bulge in his bathing trunks obvious.

“But—”

He placed a finger over her lips. “I plan to show you I’m a man of my word. You can believe what I’m telling you I want. And I want you to trust me. I want more than just sex.”

Her heart pounded hard, and she shook her head hard. “No. I can’t go there again. This is sex, Alex. Nothing more.” The lie caused a painful ache in her chest.

He didn’t know what it meant to be in a relationship, to give to someone and not walk away when he was bored, finished, or ready to move on. But she knew what it was like to be left. Too many times to count.

She bit her lower lip, and he slid his thumb along her pouty mouth. Her breath caught in her throat.

His gaze darkened. “We’ll see.”

She shook her head, licking the pad of his thumb at the same time. “Has anyone ever said no to you?” she asked, hoping he didn’t notice the tears of frustration in her eyes, the pain in her voice for the things she wanted but could never have.

“Not when it mattered,” he said, his honesty surprising her. “And you matter. I also know how to work for what I want. And Madison?” He looked directly into her eyes. “I want you.”

* * *

After dropping Madison back at her place, Alex headed home to shower and jerk off. He had no choice, considering how worked up he was after their afternoon together. He’d finally gotten his hands on her again, and it was as good if not better than he’d remembered. Once she let go, she was vocal with her needs, and those barriers she liked to keep so high were almost nonexistent. But she still didn’t trust him, and damned if he knew what direction to take next.

He needed to get out tonight, so he called Jon to meet him for dinner. The lawyer was one of the only friends who’d stuck around after his injury. Alex might have been a nasty SOB for a while, but true friends didn’t bail. A couple of his other buddies lived in Tampa when they weren’t on the road, and most of his childhood friends only stuck around when times were high and fun. Once good-natured Alex had disappeared along with the career and the status, they’d drifted away too. He and Jon were childhood friends, and they’d gone to University of Florida together. Their bond was tight.